White Bird by R. J. Palacio

 Julian, from the Wonder book, is interviewing his french grandmother about her experience in WWII.  Though it is hard for her, she decides to tell her whole story, so that what happened will never be forgotten.  The grandmother, Sarah, was a daughter of a wealthy Jew who had nice clothes and went to a private school.  When France is invaded, it at first doesn affect Sarah very much since she lives in the "free" zone.  Soon enough the Nazi's gradually infiltrated even smaller villages, and Sarah realizes, too late, how much danger her and her family are in.  It is only the kindness of one of her classmates, Julian, who is a polio victim, that allows her to survive the war, when so many others parished. 

This is a graphic novel that is really well written, beautifully illustrated, and quite moving.  Palacio adds a touch of the fantastic, which adds a literary element to the story that, though a little odd, ends up working. I listened to the book on recording, and then just looked at the print version afterword.  The readers of the story (it is full cast) do a good job suggesting the illustrations of the graphic novel. The illustrations are done in full color and are quite stunning.  The only thing I didn't really care for was that Palacio (or her editors) felt that this story had to be tied into the Wonder group of stories.  It totally would have worked all by itself, and trying to connect it with Auggie's friend, Julian, felt like a stretch.  I also didn't really like all the preachy moralizing tacked on at the end of the recording. The story gets across the message of the importance of being kind and courageous, without the extra note.  Why not let the young readers make the connections to what is happing in the world today instead of spelling it out. Still, the book is well done.  It is not quite as toned down as "Number the Stars," but it is still  an appropriate introduction to the Holocaust for a 4-6 grade audience, especially with adult guidance.  (2019, 224 p)

(I don't know how I ended up reading three "man's cruelty to man" books in a row.  That wasn't on purpose.  I am totally really for some romantic fluff, people.)